Forecast Channel This free weather service requires an Internet connection. In addition to daily weather based on region, you also have access to a weekly forecast. The service gives you a view of the Earth, which you can rotate to access different regions. The Wii24Connect service automatically updates the weather conditions throughout the day so that the forecast and globe search is always accurate.

News Channel The latest news is automatically updated and viewable through this free service, which also requires an internet connection. The new channel is said to have "functions indicative of a game machine." Users can also change the font size for easy viewing.

Mii Channel In this channel, you create your own avatar, which is referred to as a "Mii." Your Mii is used in Wii games (as in Wii Sports) and can be transferred to your Wii-mote and used on other Wii consoles. Nintendo chief software producer Shigeru Miyamoto commented at Nintendo's Japanese Wii press conference that this is a feature he's always wanted to have.

Virtual Console Channels You'll also find channels for launching Virtual Console games on NES, Super NES, Nintendo 64, as well as TurboGrafx-16 and SEGA Genesis. The interface also seems to allow players to assign shortcuts to Virtual Console titles, although it's unclear how Nintendo will be organizing all the games players will potentially have stored on Wii's 512MBs of internal flash. You'll be able to view available software in various ways, selecting to view all NES games, for instance, or all games in the Mario series.

Message Board In addition to the individual channels, the Wii Channel interface gives you access to a message board, used for exchanging messages with your family members. Nintendo considers this similar to posting a memo on a refrigerator. In addition to writing text, you can also include images from your SD card in the body of messages. The message board service also gives access to the Internet via WiConnect24, allowing those with whom you've exchanged friend codes to see your memos. You can also send messages and photos to cell phone users and the Message Board will eventually feature updates with game-specific items and other goodies that can be downloaded and integrated into software. You might even see memos created by games like Animal Crossing.

Wii Shop Channel This is where users go to buy Wii Points or redeem them to download classic videogames to the Virtual Console. You also can use points to download the Opera browser used in the Internet Channel.

IGN has posted a detailed walkthrough of some of the Wii Channels available. To see it, click right here.